Easysoft ODBC-InterBase Driver User Guide - Glossary

Terms and definitions

A Microsoft interface designed to provide a consistent method of accessing different data types, such as web pages, spreadsheets and relational databases.

API (Application Programmer Interface)

A published set of function calls and constants allowing different programmers to utilize a ready-written library of subroutines.

Application

A program that applies the computer to solving some real-world problem. In ODBC terms, it is the program connecting to the data source.

Authorization code

You must have an authorization code for the Easysoft product you wish to license in order to obtain a purchased license. When you purchase a product your authorization code is emailed to you. You do not need an authorization code to obtain a trial license.

Client

A process performing tasks local to the current user, for example, formatting and displaying a report from data retrieved from the server.

Client/Server

The architecture whereby one process (the server) keeps track of global data, and another task (the client) is responsible for formatting and presenting the data. The client connects to the server and requests queries or actions be performed on its behalf. Often these processes run on different hosts across a local-area network.

Column

The vertical dimension of a table. Columns are named and have a domain (or type).

Database

A collection of data files.

Data source

In ODBC terms, a data source is a database or other data repository coupled with an ODBC Driver, which has been given a Data Source Name (see DSN) to identify it to the ODBC Driver Manager.

Data type

The specification of permitted values. A data type limits the values which are allowed to be used.

DBMS

Database Management System - software that handles access to a database.

Download

To retrieve data from a remote machine (or the Internet) to your local machine. Mechanisms for achieving this include FTP and the World Wide Web.

Software whose main function is to load ODBC drivers. ODBC applications connect to the Driver Manager and request a data source name (DSN). The Driver Manager loads the driver specified in the DSN's configuration file. In Windows, the ODBC Data Source Administrator is used to set up the Driver Manager.

DSN

Data Source Name. A name associated with an ODBC data source. Driver Managers, such as unixODBC or the Microsoft Windows Driver Manager, use the Data Source Name to cross-reference configuration information and load the required driver.

Field

A placeholder for a single datum in a record, for example you can have a Surname field in a Contact Details record. Fields are sometimes referred to as cells.

FTP

File Transfer Protocol - a standard method of transferring files between different machines.

Host

A computer visible on the network.

HTTP

HyperText Transfer Protocol. The means of transferring web pages.

Middleware

Software that is placed between the client and the server to improve or expand functionality.

License key

A string which is provided by Easysoft for use in the licensing process.

Software that accesses a proprietary data source, providing a standardized view of the data to ODBC.

Remote Licensing

Easysoft products require licenses for each machine they are used. This may not be sutable in some installations. Because of this Easysoft can provide a remote license system, where licenses are applied to a central server, and the products use the license stored on this server. For more details, contact Easysoft

Row

The horizontal dimension of a table. At its most basic, a row equates to a record within a file.

Schema

A specification of the structure of a database, including the tables, their column headings and keys.

Server

A computer, or host, on the network, designed for power and robustness rather than user-friendliness and convenience. Servers typically run around-the-clock and carry central corporate data.

OR

A process performing the centralized component of some task, for example, extracting information from a corporate database.